Ryan Meara, the New York Red Bulls’ breakout star last season, won’t be ready to start the season, leaving new coach Mike Petke searching for a temporary starter in goal.

Meara, a 22-year-old native of Crestwood, N.Y., sustained a season-ending injury last August and underwent surgery on both hips. He has been limited to just individual work in training camp so far.

“He had a big surgery, and it’s taking a while,” Petke told NBC Sports on Friday. “It’s gonna throw a wrench into the last four or five months if we bring him back too soon.”

Luis Robles, a 28-year-old native of Fort Huachuca, Ariz., spent five years playing in Germany before signing with the Red Bulls last year. He’ll be the starter until Meara is ready and maybe beyond.

He gained a lot of confidence last year when he allowed only five goals in six MLS starts at the end of the year and in the playoffs.

“My biggest thing is that when Ryan does come back and he’s 100 percent healthy, there’s going to be a hell of a battle,” Petke said.

Meara said he’s eager to get back on the pitch, but the trainers are being sure not to let him push his rehab too hard and have a setback.

“The main thing is, I feel good, but just not push it,” Meara said recently. “There’s a fine line between working hard and getting in shape and overdoing it a little. The trainers have been great, they’ve been on top of me. If it was up to me I’d be playing, but you can kind of need someone to tell you ‘no’ sometimes so you’re not doing too much.”